By Kristen Levine, Reporter
On June 19, Barbara Krashes cut the ribbon to officially open the newly renovated Krashes Field. Attending the ceremony were Senator Harriette Chandler (R-MA), Representative Kim Ferguson (R-MA), and a host of Town officials and residents. Barbara and David Krashes, after whom the field is named, were featured guests.
“People from Princeton pull together and do what needs to be done,” Mr. Krashes said. “A group of people came together and decided they wanted to do something [for Princeton]…I hope it continues.”
The ribbon cutting kicked off a day of fun for attending families. Activities such as face painting, an exotic animal tent from Animal Adventures Family Zoo and Rescue Center, and family sporting activities were held on both levels of the field for kids. Princeton Parks and Recreation Director Scott Morris was pleased with the turnout and looks forward to future uses for the field. The renovations for the field refreshed its utilities and future.
“Wayne [Adams, Chairman of the Advisory Committee] spearheaded the original goals. We wanted to have a walking track for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “And then [the field] connected to the trails as well….there’s some better signage, park benches, picnic tables. A lot of the money was used for revamping those types of things and making it ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
Deb Cary of the Open Spaces Committee spoke during the opening ceremonies, citing Princeton’s hidden treasure of trails that connect to the field. Trails have been marked with fresh paint markers to keep hikers on track, and a new trailhead kiosk marks the trailhead opening next to the walking track.
“A lot of people don’t know about them,” she said. “What’s exciting is the walking track is directly adjacent to the trailhead, to what we call the McElroy-Bullock hiking trail network. There’s a 25-acre area that is all conservation land donated to the Princeton Land Trust, so this is a lovely way to connect with people and walk the trails.”
Future sporting activities like disc golf and pickleball are in the works, with space on the field being examined for semi-to-permanent additions. Outdoor events like concerts are a possibility as Covid-19’s impact on public gatherings lessens, and events with large groups become more commonplace. The field’s three soccer fields offer ample space for such events; the field will be open year-round for seasonal activities, with the outdoor basketball court being slated for use in winter as an ice-skating rink. Even WiFi is available for visitors, available to login with a public password.
“This town never ceases to amaze me in what you do,” Representative Ferguson said during the opening speeches. “The project is a testament and story of how many people came together for this…[Princeton] has a huge heart, to work so hard for the betterment of this town.”
Senator Chandler followed up with her own praise, saying “There is more to [Krashes Field] than being athletic fields: this makes it more of a community.”
LEFT: Town Administrator Sherry Patch and Open Space Committee member Deb Cary.
CENTER: (Left to right) Senator Harriette Chandler, Parks and Recreation member Jennifer Greene, Contributor Barbara Krashes, Parks and Recreation member Melissa Hawthorne, Town Administror Sherry Patch, Chairman of Advisory Committee Wayne Adams
RIGHT: Fire Chief John Bennett, alligator from Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center
CREDIT: Kristen Levine